Email Account Acceptable Use

User Responsibilities

  1. INDIVIDUAL USERS ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. Users are responsible for understanding and respecting the security policies of the systems (computers and networks). Users are individually accountable for their own behavior. (RFC 1281)

  2. Users are responsible for their account, including, but not limited to, the files contained within their allocated storage.

  3. Users may not consume system resources beyond a reasonable margin. This includes: processing time, disk storage, network activity, etc. User accounts are limited to a predetermined amount of disk storage space. Users may request an increase in disk space. This request may or may not be granted, depending upon resources available.

  4. User access restrictions may be placed on any or all accounts if it is determined that an unnecessary load is being placed on the system that prevents normal operations from proceeding. This may include, but is not restricted to, a restriction in login access during normal business hours.

  5. Users may not forge email. This includes creating, modifying, executing, or retransmitting any computer program or instructions intended to obscure the true identity of the sender of electronic mail or electronic messages.

  6. Users may not participate in chain email messages -- this annoys other users and wastes network resources. Do not forward email messages to people you don't know.

  7. Accounts may not be shared for any reason. Passwords should remain secret.

  8. Users may not use the computing services offered at MNU for profit or personal financial gain. You may not use MNU Internet resources to conduct business transactions.

  9. MNUnet (dorm Ethernet connection) users may not attempt to manually change the IP address assigned to their computers. All student computers connected to MNUnet are intentionally on a private internal network and cannot be directly accessed from outside campus. Only authorized (official MNU server) computers may provide any type of services to users outside of MNUnet.

  10. Breaking into another user's account is strictly prohibited. This includes any methods for determining user passwords.

  11. Any attempt to disrupt normal computer service is prohibited.

  12. Users should respect the rights and privacy of other users. Weaknesses in the security of a system do not give license to penetrate or abuse a system. (RFC 1281)

  13. Copyrighted and licensed software may not be duplicated or transported electronically unless it is explicitly stated that you may do so. When in doubt, DON'T COPY.

  14. The following activities are strictly prohibited: releasing worms, viruses, or any other programs with malicious intent.

  15. Users may not take part in obscene, harassing, or otherwise unethical email transmissions, newsgroup postings, or any other method of communicating on the network.

Policy Violation

    If a user violates any of the Acceptable Use Policy issues 10-15 above, the user's account will immediately be locked. Further access to all computing resources will be denied. An appeal may be made in writing to the Director of Information Technology.

    For other violations, a warning will be sent and kept on file. After the second offense, the user's account will be locked for thirty days. After the third offense, the user will lose all access to computing resources. An appeal may be made in writing to the Director of Information Technology.

    Criminal activities shall be reported to the proper authorities. Criminal activities include, but are not limited to, fraud, unauthorized access and copyright violations.

User Rights

    Data Protection -- Users may expect system backups to occur on a regular basis. You may request a restoration of the files in your account if you lose data. Requests for data restoration will be filled as soon as possible, but may take up to a week to be completed.

    Electronic Mail Privacy -- Internet email is inherently insecure. Therefore, do not communicate any nformation that you would not reveal publicly. If you need private correspondence via email, use an encryption program such as Pretty Good Privacy (PGP).

    User Privacy - Your privacy will be maintained to the greatest extent possible without compromising the integrity of the network or other computer resources. All personnel, and particularly users, are cautioned that in general, these technologies are not "private." Users should not automatically expect privacy when using systems or networks. Take protective measures where needed to protect sensitive information and applications. (LLNL)